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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

rather than/instead of

Hi,
What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'?

Rather than cause trouble, he left.
Instead of causing trouble, he left.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'? Rather than cause trouble, he left. Instead of causing trouble, he left.

— Clive

  • Hi, What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'?
  • Rather than cause trouble, he left.
  • Instead of causing trouble, he left.
  • A lot depends on the context of these phrases, and often there is no real difference.
  • Here are a couple of general comments.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'?



Rather than cause trouble, he left.
Instead of causing trouble, he left.
A lot depends on the context of these phrases, and often there is no real difference.
Here are a couple of general comments.

'Rather than' - More subjective. Suggests he left because he didn't want to c
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Hi Clive,

Your explanation is great. Can I use 'would rather... than' instead of 'rather than' here? For example,

"He would rather leave than cause trouble."

Does the sentence mean the same as

"Rather than cause trouble, he left."

Thanks!
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Hi again,

Can I use 'would rather... than' instead of 'rather than' here? For example,

"He would rather leave than cause trouble." This is correct grammar. However, it discusses a conditional/hypothetical situation.
eg If someone Tom didn't like came in, he (Tom) would rather leave than cause trouble.



Does the sentence mean the same as
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Hi Clive, thank you very much for your great explanation!
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